Seventh-generation pony car delayed by a year for unknown reasons, likely to ride on smarter platform.

The next-generation Ford Mustang has reportedly been delayed by a year, and seems likely to utilise the company’s new rear- and all-wheel drive modular architecture.

According to Automotive News, the next-generation Mustang has been pushed back by around a year by Ford boss Jim Hackett, but it’s not known why he ordered the delay. The new Mustang is now expected to make its debut in 2021.

Earlier this month the Detroit-based automaker announced it would transition from its nine existing platforms to just five modular architectures.

One of these is a rear- and all-wheel drive unibody architecture slated to underpin the next-generation Ford Explorer and Lincoln Navigator. It’s widely expected the next Mustang will jump from its current unique platform to this modular platform.

Addressing the concerns of fans, Darrell Behmer, Mustang’s chief designer, told the trade publication, “Mustang is still going to be a strong, well proportioned vehicle”.

“The modular architectures will still give us flexibility; it’s not going to barstardise Mustang,” Behmer said.

Although members of Mustang development team weren’t able to disclose further details about the next-generation car, it’s understood the first-ever Mustang hybrid will still be launched in 2020. It will be one of 40 electrified cars Ford plans to launch by 2022.